DREAM · Project

Ultra-Fast Wireless Backhaul That Replaces Fiber at 100 Gbps for 5G Networks

digitalTestedTRL 5

h2020-dream.eu

Imagine your mobile network needs super-fast connections between cell towers, but laying fiber cables everywhere is slow and expensive. This team figured out how to send data wirelessly at speeds that match fiber optic cables — up to 100 Gbps — by using a little-explored slice of the radio spectrum called D-band (130-174.8 GHz). They built compact silicon chips with smart beam-steering antennas, tested them in a real demonstrator, and proved you can create a mesh of these wireless links to connect dense small-cell networks without digging trenches for cables.

By the numbers

100 Gbps

Target wireless data rate

10x

Speed improvement over current V-band and E-band backhaul

130-174.8 GHz

D-band operating frequency range

Consortium partners

Countries in consortium (ES, FI, FR, IT)

Demo deliverables produced

Total deliverables published

The business problem

What needed solving

Mobile operators and infrastructure providers face a growing bottleneck: 5G and beyond-5G networks need vastly more backhaul capacity to connect dense small cells, but laying fiber to every site is prohibitively slow and expensive, especially in urban areas. Current wireless backhaul using V-band and E-band tops out at around 10 Gbps — not enough for next-generation demands. The industry needs a wireless solution that delivers fiber-like speeds without fiber-like deployment costs.

The solution

What was built

The team built a silicon-based BiCMOS transceiver operating in D-band (130-174.8 GHz), an optimized beam-steering antenna array with intelligent low-cost packaging, and a digital control system for beam steering. These were integrated into a full demonstrator testbed, connected to baseband, and validated with measurements compared against design specifications.

Audience

Who needs this

Mobile network operators planning 5G/6G small-cell densificationTelecom equipment manufacturers developing next-generation backhaul productsSemiconductor companies looking for D-band transceiver IPPrivate network providers for industrial campuses and smart citiesTower companies and neutral-host operators expanding wireless infrastructure

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Telecommunications

enterprise

Target: Mobile network operators and tower companies deploying 5G and beyond-5G infrastructure

If you are a telecom operator struggling with the cost and delays of laying fiber to every small cell site — this project developed a D-band wireless backhaul system delivering up to 100 Gbps, exceeding current V-band and E-band solutions by a factor of 10. The silicon-based transceiver and beam-steering antenna array were tested in a realistic demonstrator. This means you can deploy high-capacity backhaul links in days instead of months, without digging.

Smart City Infrastructure

enterprise

Target: City authorities and infrastructure providers planning dense urban connectivity

If you are a city planner or infrastructure provider needing high-speed connectivity for dense urban sensor networks and smart city services — this project built a meshed wireless network architecture operating in D-band (130-174.8 GHz) with beam steering. The proof of concept was validated in a realistic environment with 7 consortium partners across 4 countries. This lets you connect thousands of intelligent sensors and access points without expensive underground cabling.

Private Network Solutions

mid-size

Target: Industrial campuses, ports, and logistics hubs needing dedicated high-bandwidth wireless

If you run a large industrial site or logistics hub where fiber installation is impractical but you need fiber-like speeds for automation and real-time data — this project demonstrated a cost-efficient D-band wireless link using silicon BiCMOS technology with integrated beam-steering antennas. The system was prototyped and tested against specifications in a demonstrator setup. You get 100 Gbps wireless connectivity that can be reconfigured as your site layout changes.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would a D-band backhaul system cost compared to fiber?

The project specifically targeted cost-efficient deployment using silicon-based BiCMOS technology rather than expensive III-V semiconductors. While no specific unit price is published, the silicon approach is designed for mass production scalability. Exact pricing would depend on volume and integration requirements — contact the consortium for commercial terms.

Can this scale to cover a full city network?

The project designed and demonstrated a meshed network architecture, meaning multiple D-band links can interconnect to cover larger areas. The beam steering functionality allows flexible point-to-multipoint configurations. Scaling from the proof-of-concept demonstrator to city-wide deployment would require further engineering and regulatory work in the 130-174.8 GHz band.

Who owns the IP and can I license this technology?

The consortium of 7 partners across 4 countries (Spain, Finland, France, Italy) includes 3 industry partners and 2 research organizations. IP ownership is governed by the consortium agreement. Licensing discussions should be directed to the coordinator, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

Is the D-band spectrum actually available for commercial use?

D-band (130-174.8 GHz) is increasingly being opened for fixed wireless services by regulators worldwide, driven by demand for beyond-5G capacity. The project specifically chose this band to enable data rates exceeding current V-band and E-band by a factor of 10. Regulatory status varies by country, so check with your national spectrum authority.

How close is this to a product I can buy today?

The project built working prototypes including a BiCMOS transceiver front end, beam-steering antenna array, and digital control system, all integrated and tested in a demonstrator. Based on the 3 demo deliverables covering prototypes, antenna arrays, and beam steering test systems, this is validated technology but not yet a commercial product. Further productization and certification would be needed.

How does this integrate with existing network infrastructure?

The demonstrator was connected to baseband equipment for end-to-end testing, showing compatibility with standard network architectures. The meshed topology is designed as a backhaul solution that sits between small cells and the core network. Integration with existing fiber and microwave backhaul in a hybrid architecture is a natural deployment path.

What technical support is available from the consortium?

VTT (Finland) coordinates the project, supported by 3 industry partners and 2 research organizations with complementary expertise in semiconductors, antennas, packaging, and network architecture. The project website at h2020-dream.eu and 16 published deliverables provide detailed technical documentation.

Consortium

Who built it

The DREAM consortium brings together 7 partners from 4 European countries (Spain, Finland, France, Italy), with a strong industry presence at 43% — 3 industry players alongside 2 research organizations and 1 university. This mix is significant for a hardware project: the industry partners bring semiconductor manufacturing and telecom equipment expertise needed to move silicon chip designs toward products. VTT, the Finnish national research centre, coordinates the project and is known for its technology transfer capabilities. No SMEs are involved, which suggests the technology targets large-scale telecom infrastructure rather than niche applications. The geographic spread across Southern and Northern Europe covers key 5G deployment markets.

TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYCoordinator · FI
Erzia Technologies SLparticipant · ES
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PAVIAparticipant · IT
III-V LABparticipant · FR
NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS ITALIA SPAparticipant · IT
STMICROELECTRONICS SRLparticipant · IT
ASOCIACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO CEITparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland — reach out to their Connectivity & Communications research area

Order a report on this consortium See TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the DREAM team to discuss licensing or partnership? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the right people at VTT and the industry partners.

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